Round six of the American Le Mans series at Road America concluded late yesterday afternoon in superb style. With closely contested finishes in all categories rounding out another brutally competitive showing for the championship and its competitors.

MuscleMilk AMR squad of Graf/Luhr again reigned supreme in LMP1. Despite late-race heroics from Dyson’s Guy Smith, Graf would secure the MuscleMilk team’s third victory of the season, narrowly besting Dyson’s #16 crew to round out the series closest ever finish, with a margin of 0.112sec.

Dyson’s crew of Smith/Dyson maintain their championship lead over MuscleMilk AMR by an 18 point margin.

Risi Competizione triumphed in GT. Marking the squad’s maiden victory for the 2011 season. BMW RLL would secure the remaining podium positions to extend the outfit’s (already sizeable) margin in the drivers, teams, and manufacturers championships.

‘Move of the race’ in the GT category is received by Wolf Henzler, for the overtaking maneuver seen below.

Road America 2011 final laps – Henzler passes RLL BMW:

Klaus Graf is also deserving of mention for the late race heroism displayed below.

Group Lotus Motorsport today announced intentions to further extend its motorsport activities, with the formation of a new motorsport venture, Lotus Sport USA, and the addition of two new programmes to the manufacturer’s competitive portfolio.

The marque’s new US-based venture will be led by team principals, Ian Dawson (of former ECO/Taurus Racing fame), and John Pritzlaff.

Having returned to ACO-regs GT competition this year with Austrian squad, JetAlliance, Lotus Group has announced further plans to enter the American Le Mans Series with the Lotus GTE chassis via the newly formed US operation, as of 2012.

The marque also outlined plans to enter, and develop its already announced LMP2 chassis (covered here) in the North American series. A specific date/timeline for the chassis’ debut has not yet been revealed; further technical details regarding the package have not yet been provided.

Participation in the recently announced FIA World Endurance Series is reportedly being considered.

Provisional entries for the second round of the 2011 American Le Mans Series at Long Beach are now available and, as the first ALMS round outside of the ILMC, grid numbers have dropped significantly.

As expected, the prototype ranks were most significantly affected. The (albeit anticipated) omission of series regulars Highcroft, Intersport, and AutoCon, leaving the LMP field in an ailing state, with only four (2x LMP1, 2x LMP2) entries between the two categories.

Long time series stalwarts, Robertson Racing will not compete at the event. As first time Le Mans competitors in 2011, the team and its pair of Doran Ford GT chassis, will be required to attend the Le Mans test day on April, 24. Logistical difficulties have prevented the squad from participating at Longbeach.